For Soprano and Orchestra.Natural History was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It was written for the voice of Dawn Upshaw. The first performance was given by these artists conducted by Sir Simon Rattle on14th January 1999 in Symphony Hall Boston. Orchestra 3 Flutes (3rd doubling piccolo and alto flute)3 Oboes3 Clarinets in Bb3 Bassoons (3rd doubling contrabassoon)4 Horns in F3 Trumpetsin CTubaPercussion (2 players)1. Cymbals Tubular Bells Suspended Cymbal Glockenspiel2. Glockenspiel (shared with first player) Snare Drum TamTam Xylophone Bamboo Chimes Metal Wind Chimes GongTimpaniHarpStrings

Work for Solo Soprano and Chamber Orchestra commissioned by Carnegie Hall. Text: Maya Angelou Toni Morrison and Clarissa Pinkola Estés. The piece was first performed by Jessye Norman and the Orchestra of St.Luke's conducted byDavid Robertson in Carnegie Hall New York on March 22 2000.

Kaija Saariaho’s Leino Songs were commissioned by the Osaka International Festival Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Casa da Musica Porto.First performances:5 April 2008 at Festival Hall in Osaka as part of theOsaka International Festival24 October 2008 by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Helsinki1 November 2008 by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in PortoLeino Songs are dedicated to Anu Komsi.